People also worship Amla tree as they believe it to be the abode of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Amalaki Ekadashi, which usually falls between Mahashivratri and Holi, is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. On this day devotees worship Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi and seek blessings for a prosperous future. People also worship the Amla [Indian gooseberry] tree as they believe that Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi reside there.
Date: The Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat will be observed on March 13th and 14th of this year.
Timing: Ekadashi Tithi starts at 10:21 am on March 13 and ends at 12:05 pm on March 14.
Amalaki Ekadashi Fast Worship Method
The fruit of gooseberry has special significance in Amalaki Ekadashi fasting. After meditating on Lord Vishnu after waking up on this day, one should resolve to fast. After taking the resolution of the fast, after retiring from bath etc. one should worship Lord Vishnu. After this, offer Amla fruit to Lord Vishnu as Prasad. Following worship of the gooseberry tree with incense, lamp, sandalwood, roli, flowers, akshat, etc., a poor person or Brahmin should be fed food. The following day, Brahmins should bathe and worship Lord Vishnu, then donate clothes, gooseberries, etc. This is followed by breaking the fast and eating.
Amalaki Ekadashi Rituals
Devotees who observe fast on Ekadashi Tithi follow a set of rules. Enthusiastic devotees stay awake the whole night to pay their respects to Lord Vishnu. They chant Vishnu Sahasranama or sing hymns dedicated to him. However, those who take rest on Ekadashi night should get up early, preferably during Brahma Muhurta (exactly two hours before sunrise) the next day. See the rules below:
1. Take bath and wear clean clothes.
2. Meditate
3. Light an oil lamp, offer flowers, fruits and incense to the deity.
4. Invoke Lord Vishnu
5. Chant the mantra ‘OM Namo Bhagwate Vasudevaya’ as many times as possible.
6. Apologize for any mistake you may have made during the fast.
7. Donate food without onion/garlic to any needy. You can also donate essential items.
8. The fast should be broken during the time mentioned above.
9. The food prepared to break the fast should not contain onion, garlic or any tamasic ingredients. break your fast by eating only sattvik food
Significance
The amla tree is worshipped during Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month Phalguna. The devotees perform aarti after taking baths in the morning and offer prasad.
